After weeks of trying to get a draft choice for quarterback David Carr, the Texans released the five-year veteran, making him an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team in the league.

The Texans also released running back Domanick Williams (formerly Davis), their all-time leading rusher who has been unable to play because of a knee injury.

The team traded a second-round draft choice in next month's draft and a second-round pick in the 2008 draft to Atlanta for quarterback Matt Schaub on Wednesday. The Texans also swapped first-round picks (from 8th to 10th) with the Falcons in this year's draft. The Texans announced Schaub as their starting quarterback during a news conference on Thursday.

Mike Sullivan asked Texans general manager Rick Smith to release Carr. Owner Bob McNair said on Thursday that Carr had done right by the Texans, and they would do right by him. Smith had been trying to trade Carr. He asked Sullivan to see if he could find a team willing to make a deal. Neither succeeded.

Rather than force Carr to wait until the draft or afterward hoping they could get a late pick, the Texans did what Sullivan asked and released him.

"We appreciate the Texans allowing David to move on with his career in a speedy manner," Sullivan said. "All the teams we've talked to know that Dave's been released. Now we're waiting to see how much they're interested in him."

"I've been with David ever since he came into the league, and it's going to be strange to go into the locker room and not see him," said McKinney, the first free agent the Texans signed. "I wish him the best. He won't be on the street for long."

Minnesota and Oakland are interested in Carr. Miami is close to working a trade with Kansas City for quarterback Trent Green. Cleveland could enter the picture.

Carr, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2002 draft, never guided the expansion Texans to a winning record. The Fresno State product's Texans tenure was bumpy to say the least. He was sacked 249 times, more than any quarterback in te NFL over the past five seasons.

Carr, who missed only four starts in five seasons — all in 2003 - passed for 13,391 yards with 59 touchdowns and 65 interceptions. The Texans were 22-53 in Carr's 75 starts.

Waiving Williams saves the Texans $3.2 million, which can be used to match the offer sheet restricted free-agent fullback Vonta Leach signed with the New York Giants.